History of the police badge

In researching the history of the shield several years ago, I came up witht he following information:

· I was able to trace the history shield back to the year 1200 to the days of King Arthur, and the Knights of the Round Table.

· The shield was used as a defensive weapon to protect the knights, and became known as a shield of authority.

· The Knights of the Round Table were the first known police force, and enforced the King’s law and protected the people of the villages or the Shire.

· Knights had be honest, brave and trustworthy, and of good moral character. They were responsible for enforcing the laws of the land.

Knights also performed other duties such as collecting the taxes for the King.

The shield was always carried on the knights left hand side, and that’s why the police shield is worn on the left side. On the front center of the Knights shield was a crest. Today we usually use the State crest on the front of our badge.